PRO12 table toppers looking for historic victory

Victories in the opening rounds of the 2015-16 campaign sees Scarlets head to Parma atop of the Guinness PRO12 table looking for another historic victory this weekend.

Scarlets’ victory over Glasgow in the opening round saw the Scottish side’s 20-game home win record come to an end with a home victory over Ulster in the second round equaling Scarlets’ best ever run in the competition.

As PRO12 action returns this weekend, following a Rugby World Cup break, Scarlets head to Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi looking for a seventh consecutive victory – their best ever run in the PRO12 in the region’s history.

John Barclay will lead the side in his 150^th Guinness PRO12 appearance with two personnel changes in the pack. Rob Evans replaces Phil John in the starting line-up with George Earle coming in to the second row for Lewis Rawlins.

Llanelli born Jordan Williams returns to the side replacing the injured Steff Evans at fullback; this will be Williams’ first regional game since March following shoulder surgery.

Michael Tagicakibau and Rhodri Williams are also named in the starting XV having recovered from a hamstring injury and concussion respectively.

Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac said: “This is a one off game over in Zebre before another week off. Last season we won it in the last play of the game and the season before it was a last minute penalty to take the draw. We know it’s not going to be easy and they’ve improved from round one to round two.

“We expect them to be stronger at home. We’ll show them a lot of respect, we’ll go out there and try and build on what we’ve created in the camp over the last month. It’s an important game for us.

“If we can get a win on the weekend we head back to the Parc for three home games and we’d like to think at that point the public will be right behind the side and we can draw some big crowds.

“We know we have to do our bit and that’s getting a result against Zebre this weekend.”

Scarlets team to take on Zebre on Sunday 4^th October, kick-off 1pm UK time;

15 Jordan Williams, 14 Hadleigh Parkes, 13 Regan King, 12 Gareth Owen, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Daniel Jones, 9 Rhodri Williams, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 George Earle, 5 Tom Price, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay ©

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Phil John, Will Taylor, Tom Phillips, Jack Condy, Aled Davies, Steven Shingler, Aled Thomas

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Steff Hughes (knee), Josh Lewis (knee), Harry Robinson (neck), Rhodri Jones (pec), Will Boyde (knee/foot), Morgan Allen (bicep), Jack Payne (ankle), Rory Pitman (bicep), Steff Evans (elbow), Lewis Rawlins (shoulder)